Sister protection program

11 • long ass summer

"Hey Benjamin...what's up?" I answer, all the boys look to me awkwardly standing around my room.
"Hey Lillian! How are you doing? You kind of went off before we could talk the other day..."
"Um yeah, sorry I ran out of your room, I never told you thanks for..." The boys continue to stare and I chose my words carefully.
"...for y'a know, helping me"
"Of course. Listen, do you want to hang out sometime?"
My cheeks flush white. Did I really just get asked out?
I don't mean to regret my decision about moving in this soon, but I sure wish I wasn't in a room full of guys to continue this conversation.
"Yes, yeah I'd like that."
"Great, are you free tomorrow night?"
"Yeah, I'm free. That sounds good. Listen now is kind of a bad time, I'll text you ok I have to go" I say looking around at the glares I'm getting from the guys.
"Yeah ok bye Lillian!"
"Bye Ben"

I end the call and the boys stare waiting for me to start talking.
But I don't start talking, instead I stand up ready to avoid this conversation.
Calum steps in front of me and the questions start flowing.
"Who was that?" Calum asks.
"It was a friend" I mumble starting to walk but then Michael steps inbetween me and the door.
"Why'd you run out of his room?"
"What did you need to thank him for??"
Ashton asks stepping behind me.

"Stop interrogating me!" I demand throwing my hands up. I've been living with these boys for literally a day and they're already being over protective.
"It's our job!" Luke defends.
"It's going to be a long ass summer" I mumble going out of my room. I go down the stairs and into the kitchen and the boys follow.
"Lilian we need to know. How do you know him?"
"Seriously?" I ask looking over my shoulder.
They nod.
"I'm not telling you guys, forget it. You don't need to know!" I protest opening the fridge grabbing a bottle of water.
"Well that's a bad choice" is all Ashton mumbled leaning against the door frame.

"Just leave her alone about it, she's been here a day, let her get used to it." Michael warns.
I sit down at the table.
Used to it? This is going to be a usual occurrence??
Like I said. It's going to be a long ass summer.
Calum glares then nods.

"So Lillian, I was thinking maybe we could all do something for our birthdays coming up" Luke says sitting down beside me.
"Our?"
Ashton hops on and sits on the counter "Luke and you and Sam have the same birthday" he explains and I nod.
I stop and think for a moment. Out of all of our birthdays, Sam always spent it with me instead of his "best friend."
It makes me smile for a moment.

Micheal opens the fridge "we could go to club"
I shrug. "I guess"
"I was thinking more of a house party" Luke proposes.
"I've actually never been to one before...but yeah that sounds fun" I confess glancing at my phone responding to a text from Aubrey.

Calum almost spits out his drink. "You've never been to a house patty?!"
"Yeah it's defiantly happing, house party it is" Ashton laughs.

__

I toss and turn but I can't sleep.
I can't help but to think of Sam in this room.
I slowly sit up and look at his book shelf at the corner of the room.
I've got to clear my mind
I rub my eyes swinging my legs over the side of my bed.

I quietly ease out of my room and slowly make my way down stairs and creep into the kitchen.
I don't want to purposely wake any of the boys up, but I do wish at least one of them was up to talk to.
I get a glass of water and sit at the table. I scroll through my Instagram feed and look though my old friends' pages to pass the time.

"Lillian?"
I quickly look up dropping my phone on the table.
"Calum! Don't do that" I say putting a hand on my heart.
"You scared the shit out of me" I whisper catching my breath.
He stands in the doorway shirtless in boxers

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you. I saw door open and the light was on down here so I thought I'd check on you. Everything alright?"
He asks in a sleepy voice taking a seat next to me. "I uh- yeah. It's just-"
"It reminds you of him." He finishes my thought.
"Yeah. Kinda hard for it not to."

He nods.
"I'll be fine it's just something I need to ease into I guess." I say taking my phone off the table and putting it on my lap.
"I get it. You have a lot to get used to."
I just nod.
"...Do you want me to stay with you tonight? It may help if you're not alone." He speaks softly.
I nod looking down.

He smiles and nods.
"Common kiddo" he says standing up. I follow him as we leave the kitchen and go into my room.

He quickly gets under my covers and turns over.
I slowly pull back the covers and slip in as well before turning off my little lamp.

"Lilian?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you gave us a chance."
I involuntary smile against my pillow.
"Goodnight Calum."
"Night"

We slowly doze off around fifteen minutes later but suddenly I feel an arm fall across my waist.
The boys were right, Calum is a cuddlier.